Nathan Smith, Todd White, Condoleezza Rice and Diane Holcomb pose for a photo during a special get-together at the Country Club of Birmingham prior to the start of the U.S. Mid-Amateur Players Dinner, where Rice, a club member and Birmingham native, served as the guest speaker. Smith and White, members of last month's victorious USA Walker Cup Team, joined a small group of CCB and USGA officials in the club's library for a 20-minute VIP meet-and-greet session. The Mid-Amateur Championship begins today and goes through Thursday. (Copyright USGA/Steve Gibbons)

MOUNTAIN BROOK, Alabama - Former Secretary of State and avid golfer Condoleezza Rice spoke to competitors in this week's Mid-Amateur Championship being held at the Country Club of Birmingham.

Four-time and last year's winner Nathan Smith said that Rice had an inspiring messages for the golfers in the field.

"She talked a lot about golf, but also a lot about life lessons," Smith said. "She is a great speaker."

Rice, a member of the club and Birmingham native, spoke to part of the 264 golfing contingency competing today through Oct. 10 in Mountain Brook. She also had a private meeting with Smith, golfer Todd White (a member with Smith of the 2013 USA Walker Cup team) and a group of other VIPs.

Smith said that Rice is an excellent representative for the sport, and also for Alabama.

"She is a great spokesperson for the game of golf," he said, "and for her to be from this area, it's really amazing."

Smith, 34, is from Pittsburgh, Pa., and said he enjoys playing down South.

"The weather is great, the people are great. I'm glad to be back here," he said. "And this is a tough course. It makes for some very exciting play."

Smith joins an impressive list of amateur golfers on the course starting today in competition and continuing through the week. He became the first four-time winner of the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, earning a 1-up victory over Garrett Rank of Canada, in the 36-hole final at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Ill.

He became just the 15th player in USGA history to win the same championship at least four times. The list includes Jack Nicklaus, Mickey Wright, Carol Semple Thompson and Robert T. Jones Jr., for whom the Mid-Amateur trophy is named.

Smith said the event is a great one for both participating golfers and spectators.

"You really don't realize how great the play is. These are mid-amateurs, they have jobs and kids, but the play is great," he said. "I think it's going to be a great several days."

The U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship starts today and continues through Thursday. It is free to the public.